How to Upload Product Photos to Amazon: A Complete Guide for Sellers
Uploading high-quality product photos to Amazon is crucial for driving sales and standing out in a competitive marketplace. Whether you’re a new seller or looking to optimize your existing listings, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of uploading product images that convert browsers into buyers.
Why Product Photos Matter on Amazon
Before diving into the technical steps, it’s important to understand that product photography directly impacts your Amazon sales. Studies show that listings with professional, high-quality images receive up to 30% more clicks than those with poor-quality photos.
Main Image Requirements
Your main product image (the first image buyers see) must meet these criteria:
- Background: Pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255)
- Product coverage: The product should fill at least 85% of the image frame
- File format: JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg), TIFF (.tif), PNG (.png), or GIF (.gif) – JPEG is recommended
- Resolution: Minimum 1000 pixels on the longest side (1600+ pixels recommended for zoom functionality)
- Maximum file size: 10MB
- No additional elements: No text, graphics, watermarks, or promotional content
- Product only: Show only the product being sold, no props or lifestyle elements in the main image
Additional Image Guidelines
For your secondary images (positions 2-9), you have more flexibility:
- Can include lifestyle shots showing the product in use
- May show product details, features, or dimensions
- Can include infographics highlighting key benefits
- Should maintain the same quality standards as the main image
Step-by-Step Guide to Upload Product Photos to Amazon
Method 1: Using Seller Central (Individual Uploads)
Step 1: Log into Amazon Seller Central
Navigate to sellercentral.amazon.com and sign in with your seller account credentials.
Step 2: Access Your Inventory
From the main dashboard, click on “Inventory” in the top menu, then select “Manage Inventory.”
Step 3: Locate Your Product
Find the product listing where you want to add or update images. Click the “Edit” dropdown button next to the product and select “Edit Product Info.”
Step 4: Navigate to the Images Tab
In the product editing interface, click on the “Images” tab. You’ll see nine image slots labeled Main, PT1, PT2, through PT8.
Step 5: Upload Your Images
- Click “Upload” under the Main image slot to add your primary product photo
- Click “Upload” under PT1-PT8 to add additional product images
- Select the image file from your computer
- Wait for the upload to complete (you’ll see a confirmation message)
Step 6: Arrange Image Order
Drag and drop images to rearrange their order if needed. The sequence matters as customers view images from left to right.
Step 7: Save Your Changes
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save and finish.” Amazon will process your images, which typically takes 15 minutes to several hours.
Method 2: Using Bulk Upload (For Multiple Products)
Step 1: Download the Inventory File Template
Go to “Inventory” > “Add Products via Upload” > “Download an Inventory File Template.” Select your product category.
Step 2: Prepare Your Images
Upload all product images to a hosting service or ensure they’re accessible via URL. Amazon accepts image URLs for bulk uploads.
Step 3: Fill in the Template
In the Excel template, locate the image columns (Main_Image_URL, Other_Image_URL1, Other_Image_URL2, etc.). Paste the direct URLs to your product images.
Step 4: Upload the File
Return to “Add Products via Upload” and select “Upload your Inventory File.” Choose your completed template and upload it.
Step 5: Monitor the Upload Status
Check the “Monitor Upload Status” section to ensure your images were processed successfully. Amazon will send you a confirmation email.
Method 3: Using the Amazon Seller App
For quick updates on the go:
- Open the Amazon Seller app on your mobile device
- Tap “Manage” then “Manage Inventory”
- Select the product you want to edit
- Tap “Edit Product”
- Scroll to “Product Images” section
- Tap the camera icon to take a new photo or select from your gallery
- Add up to 9 images
- Tap “Save” in the top right corner
Best Practices for Amazon Product Photography
Image Optimization Tips
To maximize the impact of your product photos:
Show Multiple Angles: Include front, back, side, and top views to give customers a complete understanding of your product.
Highlight Key Features: Use close-up shots to showcase important details, textures, or unique selling points.
Demonstrate Scale: Include an image showing the product’s size relative to common objects or in human hands.
Include Packaging: Show what customers will actually receive, including any packaging or accessories.
Use High Resolution: Always upload images at least 1600 pixels on the longest side to enable Amazon’s zoom feature, which can increase conversions by 10-15%.
Professional Image Enhancement
Before uploading to Amazon, consider professional retouching services to ensure your images meet marketplace standards. At Photo Retouching Up, we specialize in:
- Background removal: Creating pure white backgrounds that meet Amazon requirements
- Color correction: Ensuring accurate product colors that match reality
- Shadow creation: Adding natural shadows for depth and dimension
- Image resizing: Optimizing dimensions for Amazon’s zoom functionality
- Blemish removal: Eliminating dust, scratches, or imperfections
- Consistency: Maintaining uniform style across all product images
Professional retouching can mean the difference between a listing that converts and one that gets scrolled past.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Low-Resolution Images: Blurry or pixelated photos damage credibility and prevent zoom functionality.
Cluttered Backgrounds: Non-white backgrounds on main images will be rejected or suppress your listing.
Over-Editing: Avoid making products look drastically different from reality, as this leads to returns and negative reviews.
Missing Key Angles: Showing only one view leaves customers with unanswered questions.
Ignoring Mobile Optimization: Over 70% of Amazon shoppers use mobile devices, so test how your images appear on smaller screens.
Using Stock Photos Only: While manufacturer images are acceptable, custom photos showing your specific product build trust.
Troubleshooting Image Upload Issues
Image Rejected or Not Displaying
If your image doesn’t appear or gets rejected:
- Verify the background is pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255)
- Check that image dimensions meet the 1000-pixel minimum
- Ensure file size is under 10MB
- Confirm the product fills at least 85% of the frame
- Remove any text, watermarks, or borders from the main image
- Wait up to 24 hours for processing
Image Quality Appears Degraded
If uploaded images look worse than the originals:
- Upload in JPEG format at maximum quality settings
- Start with higher resolution source images (2000+ pixels recommended)
- Avoid uploading images that have already been compressed multiple times
- Save images in sRGB color space for accurate color rendering
Updating Product Images
Amazon allows you to update images at any time:
- Navigate to the product in Manage Inventory
- Edit the product information
- Delete unwanted images by clicking the trash icon
- Upload new images in their place
- Save changes
Note that image updates can take several hours to reflect on the live listing. During high-traffic shopping periods, processing may take up to 24 hours.
Mobile vs Desktop Image Considerations
Product images display differently on mobile and desktop:
Mobile: Only 5-6 images fit on the screen initially, making your first few images critical.
Desktop: All images display in a scrollable row, giving more visibility to later images.
Strategy: Place your most compelling images in the first three positions to capture mobile shoppers’ attention.
A/B Testing Your Product Images
Amazon Brand Registry members can use the Manage Your Experiments feature to test different image combinations:
- Create two versions of your listing with different images
- Amazon splits traffic between versions
- Analyze which image set drives more conversions
- Implement the winning combination
Even without Brand Registry, monitor your conversion rates after image updates to gauge effectiveness.
The Role of Professional Product Photography
While smartphone cameras have improved dramatically, professional product photography offers distinct advantage:
- Controlled lighting: Eliminates shadows and color casts
- Proper equipment: Macro lenses capture fine details
- Editing expertise: Professional post-processing enhances image quality
- Consistency: Uniform style across your entire catalog
- Compliance: Guaranteed adherence to Amazon’s technical requirements
Photo Retouching Up provides end-to-end solutions, from shooting to final retouching, ensuring your Amazon listings showcase products in the best possible light.
Conclusion
Uploading product photos to Amazon is a straightforward process, but creating images that drive sales requires attention to detail, adherence to Amazon’s requirements, and professional presentation. By following this guide and investing in high-quality product photography, you’ll create listings that stand out, build customer trust, and ultimately increase your conversion rates.
Remember, your product images are often the deciding factor between a sale and a lost customer. Whether you’re handling photography in-house or partnering with professional services like Photo Retouching Up, prioritizing image quality is one of the most impactful investments you can make in your Amazon business.
Ready to take your Amazon product photography to the next level? Professional image retouching ensures your listings meet Amazon’s strict requirements while presenting your products in the most appealing way possible. Contact Photo Retouching Up today to learn how our specialized Amazon product photo services can transform your listings and boost your sales.
